Stretching
across several kilometres of coastline, the modern community of
La Tabatière is composed of the hamlets of Old Post, Red
Bay and La Tabatière. The hamlet of La Tabatière
has been known as the best seal-fishing station on the Lower North
Shore since the 18th century. French concessionaires with
fishing and land-holding rights ran a seal fishery here. They also
traded eider down collected from the duck nests. The name
Tabatière comes from the Aboriginal word tabaquen,
meaning sorcerer. Innu who traded with settlers in La Tabatière
usually consulted a sorcerer-soothsayer before heading on a hunting
trip. The French trading post fell into British hands in the 1760s.
After a period of British ownership, a Quebec-City based company
purchased the post.

Boats in La Tabatière

In
1820, after the company went bankrupt, former employee Samuel Robertson
from Scotland bought it and produced seal oil. During the 19th century,
Jersey, French-Canadian and Newfoundland fishermen arrived in the
hamlets that now make up La Tabatière. The major seal oil
rendering and fish oil factory in the community burned down in the
1930s and was rebuilt as a fish-processing plant. Today, La Tabatière’s
fish plant is the largest on the Coast, processing crab, scallops
and shrimp.

Chair

WHAT
TO SEE

Robertson seal foundry:
The Robertson family once had the largest seal fishing
operation on the Coast. Pots that were used for rendering blubber
into oil are still visible at Spar Point.

Robertson family cemetery:
Pioneer Samuel Robertson is buried at the Robertson family cemetery
near town.

Fish plant:The
main road through the village will take you out past the wharf
and fish plant to swimming ponds.

Outer islands: A local boat owner can be hired for an informal tour of the outer
islands. Big Mecatina Island, also known as Grosse Île,
was formerly home to several fishing families during peak fishing
season, and is located 6 kilometres (4 miles) east of La Tabatière.

Gros
Mecatina Migratory Bird Sanctuary: Located east of
the community of La Tabatière, the Gros Mecatina bird sanctuary
is spread over three areas – the Plate, Marmettes and Trois
Collines islands. Here, Atlantic Puffin, Razorbill, Black
Guillemot, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull and Tern species
form small colonies. Along these islands, blueberries and
cloudberries grow on the hilltops in abundance.

Guided tour: Smitty’s
Cab, a local taxi and tour service, can take you for a guided
tour of La Tabatière and picturesque Mutton Bay nearby.

Priest’s Hill boardwalk trail:
Located across from Mecatina School on Priest’s Hill, this
newly established wooden boardwalk leads up Priest’s Hill.

Lobster Pot

At the top, stop to admire the spectacular scenery and view of
the outer islands. You can also walk or get a ride to the
Sands, a stretch of sandy beach located 3 kilometres (2 miles)
from La Tabatière.

Point aux Neiges Park:
Walk along a gravel footpath on the outskirts of the
village to reach this local park. An observation deck with explanatory
placards and a telescope allows you to take in some incredible
sights of marine and bird life.